Project Crypt Mod is a free action and adventure game developed by modder Large Hard. This custom mod features an all-new story, one focused on zombies instead of the extraterrestrial demons featured in the original game. By pushing the technologies of the source port GZDoom, it creates a visual feel entirely different from the pixelated low-res displays of the original.

With this visual upgrade on the dated classic, Project Crypt Mod now looks closer to Half-Life than the base game. If you’re a GZDoom player, you might want to check out Selaco or the GL2050 Mod.

An urban suspense

As mentioned, Project Crypt Mod is a great visual upgrade. For those unfamiliar, GZDoom is the latest iteration of publicly-available source ports that trace their origins to the Doom II game. Developing games on this platform allows for better graphics and more advanced game mechanics. The mod optimizes this technology to give us a fully playable survival adventure. It has fully fleshed out levels and a coherent experience overall.

For the controls, there’s not much to worry about since most of the game is based on the standard action-adventure control set. It uses a keyboard and mouse combination where you move with the WASD keys and point and shoot with the mouse. It makes it intuitive to play the game, although the game is not even challenging because enemies are mostly of a single, slow-moving variant.

The mod is largely playable, yet it is not complete. After a few levels, the game just ends without offering a closure or conclusion to the story. Still, it retains a good playthrough length, giving you something enjoyable for a couple of hours. Another setback in this game is that players have been reporting bugs and issues where the mod suddenly crashes mid-game.

A quick action fix

Project Crypt Mod is a good mod showcasing the capabilities of GZDoom for mid-ranged setups. It has its own story and aesthetics that feels like a throwback to the turn of the millennium. Unfortunately, the game remains incomplete, and players could definitely use more content. Additionally, there are bugs that seem to affect select players. Still, this game is a good treat for retro and modding fans everywhere.